Chandani’s Inspiration: Amelia Earhart

Chandani is a participant in the 2011 Women LEAD Leadership Institute.

“Amelia Mary Earhart (born July 24, 1897; missing July 2, 1937, declared legally dead January 5, 1939) was a noted American aviation pioneer and author. Earhart was the first woman to receive the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for becoming the first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.She set many other records wrote best-selling books about her flying experiences and was instrumental in the formation of The Ninety-Nines, an organization for female pilots. Earhart joined the faculty of the world-famous Purdue University aviation department in 1935 as a visiting faculty member to counsel women on careers and help inspire others with her love for aviation. She was also a member of the National Woman’s Party, and an early supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment.”

These are the first words Wikipedia states about this remarkable woman, all which I believe explain why I admire this woman. But most of all the reason I consider a woman that died over sixty years before I was even born as my inspiration is because SHE STOOD UP. She stood up against all the discrimination against women at the time. She stood up against the popular belief of finding a good man and simply settling down, and most important of all she stood up against the stereotypical and still popular belief that Women are Weak, that they need to be taken care of By a Man. Believe me I have nothing against men or starting a family, but I am against the idea that it is the only choice for all women and that it should be every woman’s dream.